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Subscribe to RSSThe Detroit Free Press’ Riley: “History was an important task that somebody forgot to assign, so now there is a generation of young people -- and other not-so-young-people -- who don't belong to unions, don't know the union history and don't really care about what legislators are doing this week. Unions built the middle class. Unions improved the standard of living for workers. No one standing Tuesday at the state Capitol shouting at the top of his or her lungs about injustice and calling the governor a rat was talking enough about history or marketing the good work of unions.”
The Detroit Free Press editorial: “The two bills the state House dispatched to the governor Tuesday afternoon included an appropriation that innoculates them against a voter referendum. When he signed both bills into law hours later, Snyder completed a cynical charade that mocks the citizen choice he purports to champion.” It also calls what Snyder and Republicans did “cowardly” and “completely trashes the democratic process.”
It concludes: “Snyder's conceit is that he'll be inaugurating a new era in Michigan when he affixes his signature to the bills House Republicans approved Tuesday. But it's an era in which he'll have fewer options, and speak for a narrower, more partisan constituency than the one that elected him two years ago.”
On MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Snyder again blamed unions for going against his urging to push Proposal 2. “The discussion was going on and since it was getting louder, I decided to take a leadership” stance. “I don’t believe this is actually anti-union. … Unions have to step up to deliver value.”
Yesterday, Snyder was on MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Reports, in which he also laid the blame on labor, intimating that a grudge is at the center of his reversal. A year ago, Snyder said, “I don't think it's an appropriate subject for us to be dealing with today, because we have higher priorities that need to be addressed in our state.” And during his campaign, he said of right-to-work laws: "It is a divisive, polarizing issue that will drive people apart.”
He even told Congress just this year that despite some pushing the issue in the state, “My perspective is is that I’ve made it clear it’s not on my agenda. Right to work is an issue that’s a very divisive issue people feel very strongly about … I’m the relentless positive action person, so we have many problems in Michigan that are much more pressing that I can find common ground issues we can work together on before we get into divisive issues, and we’re showing great success. … Right to work is an issue that may have its place, but I don’t think it’s appropriate in Michigan in 2012.”
Is what’s behind Snyder’s reversal really that unions defied his advice and brought “right-to-work” on themselves, or is it something else? The Detroit Free Press reported last week: “Gov. Snyder's right-to-work initiative has the coordinated support of Americans for Prosperity, the conservative non-profit organization that funded Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's efforts to strip that state's public employee unions of their collective bargaining rights. AFP was founded by wealthy industrialists Charles and David Koch. Their business interests in Wisconsin include a branch of their pulp and paper giant Georgia-Pacific, a coal subsidiary, timber plants and a pipeline network.”
From an AFP press release: “Michigan passage of right-to-work legislation will be the shot heard around the world for workplace freedom," AFP said in a press release Thursday. "A victory over forced unionization in a union stronghold like Michigan would be an unprecedented win on par with Wisconsin that would pave the way for right to work in states across our nation."
Politico reports that labor unions “are eyeing a large-scale counteroffensive against the conservative state leaders who have slashed away at union power since the 2010 midterm elections. For national labor groups, the upcoming gubernatorial elections in 2013 and 2014 may be a greater test of their political swat than even the 2012 presidential race.”
Said AFL-CIO political director Michael Podhorzer: “We consider 2014 to be absolutely crucial. These are politicians who aren’t even listening to the results of the election. They have an agenda to not just destroy unions, but many of them go after immigrants. All of them go after voting rights. And giving them another four-year term is going to be horrific for the workers and citizens in those states.”
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Wow. Governing by grudge! What a novel concept! Everyone in Michigan ought to be very very afraid. They step out of line, they may be targeted by this Governor next.
"No one standing Tuesday at the state Capitol shouting at the top of his or her lungs about injustice and calling the governor a rat was talking enough about history or marketing the good work of unions.”
No, they were cursing, assaulting citizens, tearing down tents and generally acting like anarchists, bullies, yes even animals. They weren't talking at all; they were marketing the typical work of unions.
Where is the coverage of these riots? If you get your news from NBC you are in the dark. The corruption of the media from government watchdog to liberal mouthpiece will go down in history as a despicable event in u.s. history.
Hi Ya New Day greetings from Mexico.
HI ya Forrest! Wish I was there too!
No you don't I'm in Reynosa, it's kind of a rough area.
Snyder flatly said this wasn't going to happen. Rather than sit back and moan that "they all lie", it would much better to stand up and say, "Fool me once, shame on you." You don't get a second change, jerk.
At best, Snyder should have made it clear that he wouldn't even consider signing such legislation. At worst, he should be shaking in his boots for lying to his constituents. Never happen.
We have a Congress that's sits in such low esteem, it's pushing negative poll numbers. Sure as hell, we send 'em back.
What we have here is a nation of fools.
David, this is a payback to the Koch brothers and Dick Devos, Snyder the turd, er nerd, had his stings pulled and this is the result. I didn't vote for him in the first place, as with Romney this last election he never went into specifics about what he was going to do. He won anyway. His first move was to RAISE taxes on Seniors and the working poor, cut money for education and give himself and other rich business men a 1.8 billion dollar tax cut. 2014 cannot come soon enough for me. Us people that worked for a living and now on pensions can no longer afford republican rule in Lansing.
I have a feeling the question that will be asked of all Republican candidates here on out will be "do you love your country?" Because, frankly, they are earning a reputation that they don't.
Amy,
What an un-American thing to say!!
We are all Americans whether you like it or not!!
Republicans love the country just as much as the Democrats...
Frankly, I think you are full of it!!
Max, name one thing that the republicans have ever done for the betterment of all the people and not just the very rich? You would have to go back as far as Ike, he loved this country. From Nixon on, including Reagan, Bush Jr and Sr. nothing has been for the people. Nothing. Nor for the good of the country. Frankly I think you are full of it and you do hate America.
If this isn't proof positive that Republicans are trying to eliminate the middle class, then I don't know what is. Snyder and his lame duckers pulled a fast one on the people of this state and we won't soon forget.
Why should a man or woman who doesn't want to join a union have to? The argument that they are benefitting from the previous work of the union is idiotic. We benefit from the discovery of penicillin. Should we pay dues to Alexander Fleming? The unions give almost all their political funds to democrats. If i'm not a democrat or union member that's extortion.
They don't give any dues money to any political party, that is illegal, all monies that are collected for political action are collected separately and voluntarily only from members who wish to donate. Absolutely nothing is extorted they list the candidates they wish to support, and it has nothing to do with dues money, dues money can only be used for the operating expense of the union, nothing more and nothing less.
you sound like a union member, right? can you honestly say you're not pressured to donate to political campaigns? even if this is so, and somehow i doubt union workers would voluntarily give up $87 million (the amount given to dems last november) i still think a worker should enjoy the FREEDOM to join a union or not, just like we (still) have the freedom to work where we want for the best wage we can get. work from a level playing field-- if your product- labor- is worth the extra cost to the employer you will be hired.
oh and as far as legality goes, this riot at the michigan statehouse shows what unions think of the law. criminal charges should be filed.
Yes I am a union member, and no I am not pressured to donate to political campaigns, the importance of political action is discussed and encouraged but no one is pressured to donate. The fact is that what I said is true about dues money not being used for political action and has been true for as long as I can remember. As for as your statement " if your product- labor- is worth the extra cost to the employer you will be hired." that is simply wishful thinking and is not in the least bit bit true. What does an Apple I pad cost? The people producing them in China make 35 cents an hour. There is a full sized Van coming off the assembly line every 54 seconds at the GM plant how much do think the labor involved in building that van really has to do with the $35,000 price tag. The median income in Texas is $11.20 an hour, I made more than that in 1982 with benefits, are you telling me that the efforts of half the people in Texas just are not worth very much. My union dues were the best investment I ever made-bar none.
sure, everyone wants to make more money. the employer is not holding a gun to workers' heads to accept their wages. if you deny that a major reason the auto industry has floundered is overpaying wages and benefits to unions, then i'm afraid you're wrong.
This is just proof positive that you can't trust what Republican's say.
Obviously Snyder had other intentions and motives when he made the statement earlier in the year and just flat out lied to those that elected him.
He like other Republican's are unfit to govern...Period.
Say good bye Govenor Snyder ...your gone in the next election.
What bother's me the most of all is
This is an abuse of power by elected officials, plain and simple. Those who are responsible for this should be driven out of the statehouse.
What are you talking about Jack? When auto workers made 8 bucks an hour they could buy a new car for 7.8 weeks worth of wages. now if they make 35 bucks an hour it would take 21.4 weeks worth of wages to buy a new car, I'm not the one who does not know what he is talking about.
I don't understand why the unions have to wage war?!?
Perhaps they would be a more attractive group to be associated with, if they offer services that workers want, without the political side and overreach that many don't want.
Unions have a "product" to offer, if the worker finds true value in it, they will pay for it. If it is not a good fit for them, they won't.
The unions have an opportunity here to clean up there "product line" and image -- and make it attractive to potential members.
Unions aren't gone yet... they can't operate the same as they have and survive either.
"I don't understand why the unions have to wage war?!?" Mainly because war has been declared on them. You don't realize this is about money. Or rather the lack of it. To support those that are union friendly, as you can see, republicans are not union friendly. I am afraid they have opened a can of worms and they are going to be real sorry come election time.
I think you're confused a bit. It's the Republican governor and legislature that pushed this through without discussion or debate. No one saw this coming since the governor never said it was part of his agenda. So people feel betrayed, as they should. I'm not a big union person and don't belong to one. But as a Michigan resident, I know how important they are and have been to keeping a strong middle class presence in this state. I've also lived in right to work states and they definitely have a lower standard of living. I guess if you get your info from the likes of FOX News, you are only going to get horror stories of people abusing and taking advantage of the situation like the guys caught on camera drinking on their lunch break and the going back to work. That's an isolated incident and certainly doesn't reflect the majority of workers who take pride in their work.
Never been in a union nor do I want to be - However; The Kock Brother's and those like them have been waging an undeclared war against the unions for years.
Please look at the model and template ALEC has given state governments to legislate against them.
If they want a war - I'll stand with the unions and fight.
Anoither thing and this is a statement to the Kock Brothers and those that support them - Be man enough to come out a say they have declared war.....it's called integrity.
you cannot trust a republican, never!
as a citizen of michigan and a small biz owner my biz will suffer economically from this stupid bill.
now, please read the history of the physical battles fought to institute unions and thats what we will see again. snyder has disturbed a sleepy nest of bees.
Kr, I agree with that. As wages go down, there will be less money for small businesses. Unions or the threat of a union is what has kept wages up in this state and country and all one has to do is compare wages with right to work for less states to know that this bill sucks as bad as our stinking governor. It just represents how elections have consequences. We need to stop the Governor in his tracks and get rid of him at the first opportunity.
kr, i am a small business owner in tennessee. if i had to hire and deal with unions my costs would go up, my prices would go up, and my stress would go up. you can't fire those people. just recently chrysler had to rehire several union workers who were drinking and smoking pot on the job. just think kr, you could go out and hire these guys! but you couldn't fire them!
So, I take it that Violence is the answer when duly elected officials exercise their ability and duty to craft legislation that not only benefits the particular people represented by them but also economically benefits the well being of the State as a whole.
"If" Freedom to choose is such a widely touted tenant of the left, then why would people become abusive when a Governing body wants to extend liberty for those who may choose not to be affiliated with a Union ? Are you pro choice ? or not?
I can only see this as a good thing, and also a trend nationwide.
Washington may be broken and many states may be likewise dysfunctional however, many of the several states And their legislative body's along with the executive departments are stepping up to the real challenges America faces, and doing the right thing for the people with out regard to special interest groups getting in the way of decision making.
Many of the several states who have decided to limit freedom and put road blocks up against prosperity have been loosing their population and therefore their productivity base. Awe, most a pity to see the decline but, possibly this will be an illustrative lesson for those who practice the ole power over the people Mantra...
Ya know, if you run all the business people out of business or drive them to leave, all you will be left with is a in no way sustainable mess with no way to pay for it ie, Cali Ny. ill. georgia ect....
"Get Used Too It" ----------------4ward---------->rt
This is soo not true - While we would be in a recession other companies would fill in the gap to service their respective markets.
Every time I hear a company say this I dare them to go ahead and cut their own heads off.
Many of the several states who have decided to limit freedom and put road blocks up against prosperity have been loosing their population and therefore their productivity base. Awe, most a pity to see the decline but, possibly this will be an illustrative lesson for those who practice the ole power over the people Mantra...